Boat loading apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for loading a boat on a vehicular or fixed support structure, such as a camper or a dock. An elongated carrier frame is provided having forward and rear ends. An upstanding supporting frame is provided having upper and lower ends, the lower end being rigidly mounted on the support structure. The rear end of the carrier frame is pivotally connected to the supporting frame adjacent the upper end thereof with the carrier frame extending forwardly therefrom and being pivotally movable between a horizontal, boat-carrying position and a forwardly and upwardly inclined, boat-loading position. A pair of elongated, boat-loading rails is provided having forward and rear ends. The rails have a loading position with their forward ends removably and pivotally connected to the supporting frame adjacent its upper end and being inclined rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, with their rear ends being supported by the ground. A winching system is provided for hauling the boat up the rails in their loading position and onto the carrier frame in its loading position. The rails have a stowed position in which they are carried by and secured to the carrier frame.

United States Patent [191 Schladenhauffen [54] BOAT LOADING APPARATUS [76] inventor: Paul C. Schladenhnuffen, 212 Dustman Road, Blufi'ton, 1nd. 46714 [22] Filed: March 30, 1970 [21] Appl. N0.: 23,763

[52] US. Cl. ..2l4/450, 214/85.1, 214/16 .8

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-John Mannix Attorney-l-lood, Gust, Irish & Lundy 1 Jan. 2, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for loading a boat on a vehicular or fixed support structure, such as a camper or a dock. An.

elongated carrier frame is provided having forward and rear ends. An upstanding supporting frame is provided having upper and lower ends, the lower end being rigidly mounted on the support structure. The rear end of the carrier frame is pivotally connected to the supporting frame adjacent the upper end thereof with the carrier frame extending forwardly therefrom and being pivotally movable between a horizontal, boat-carrying position and a forwardly and upwardly inclined, boat-loading position. A pair of elongated, boat-loading rails is provided having forward and rear ends. The rails have a loading position with their forward ends removably and pivotally connected to the supporting frame adjacent its upper end and being inclined rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, with their rear ends being supported by the ground. A winching system is provided for hauling the boat up the rails in their loading position and onto the carrier frame in its loading position. The rails have a stowed position in which they are carried by and secured to the carrier frame.

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SHEET 8 UF 8 ElE- El E1 E1... EE :El E E3 24 I22 I04 328 24 L X l lNVENTOR PAUL C. SCHLADENHAUFFEN ATTORNEYS BOAT LOADING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to apparatus for loading small boats on a vehicular or fixed support structure, such as a camper or a clock.

2. Description of the Prior Art A variety of different types of apparatus have been proposed for loading small boats on top of a vehicle, such as a camper or station wagon. Some of these prior apparatuses are suitable only for loading small, light boats, such as small fishing boats, and are not suitable for loading heavier boats, including a relatively heavy motor mounted thereon. Other such prior apparatuses have loaded the boat in an inverted position, thus requiring that the boat be inverted prior to loading. Still other such prior apparatuses have incorporated mechanisms of relative complexity which have required substantial installation time and have caused the apparatus to be unduly expensive.

A variety of different types of apparatus, commonly referred to as dry dock apparatus, have also been proposed for removing a small boat from the water and storing the same on a dock or other fixed support. Such prior apparatus known to the present applicant has been characterized by its complexity and substantial cost. Apparatus has not heretofore been provided which, with only minor modification, is suitable for either loading a boat on a vehicle, such as a camper, or on a fixed support, such as a dock.

It is therefore desirable to provide apparatus for loading a boat on either a vehicular or a fixed support structure, such as a camper or a dock, essentially the same apparatus being suitable for either application, the apparatus being characterized by its relative simplicity, and particularly by its ease of installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, apparatus is provided for loading a boat on either a vehicular or a fixed support structure. An elongated carrier frame is provided having forward and rear ends. An upstanding supporting frame is provided having upper and lower ends, and means for mounting the lower end on a support structure with the supporting frame having a fixed relationship with the support structure. The rear end of the carrier frame is connected to the supporting frame adjacent its upper end with the carrier frame extending forwardly therefrom. Means are provided for supporting the carrier frame adjacent its forward end on the support structure. An elongated loading element is provided having forward and rear ends, and means are provided for removably and pivotally connecting the forward end of the loading element to the supporting frame adjacent its upper end. The loading element has a loading position with the for ward end thereof connected to the connecting means and being inclined rearwardly and downwardly therefrom with the rear end thereof being supported by the ground. A winching system is provided for hauling a boat up the loading element in its loading position, and onto the carrier frame. The winching system includes a winch mounted on the supporting frame, means mounted on the carrier frame adjacent its forward end for guiding a cable therearound, and an elongated cable trained around the guide means and having one end secured to the winch and its other end adapted to be connected to a boat for loading the same on the apparatus.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for loading a boat on either a vehicular or a fixed support structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for loading a boat on either a vehicular or a fixed support structure which is characterized by its relative simplicity and relative ease of installation.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for loading a boat on either a vehicular or a fixed support structure which does not require inverting the boat prior to loading, and which is suitable for use with larger boats having an outboard motor mounted thereon.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to'the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing one embodiment of the invention for use with a conventional camper;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, top view of theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross-section, taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross-section, taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, top, cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view, partly exploded, showing one of the loading rails employed in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, side, cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIG. 2, and showing the carrier frame, with a boat loading thereon, in its carrying position;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view, similar to FIG. 9, showing the carrying framein its loading position;

FIG. 11 is a front end view of the carrier frame viewed generally along the line 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the carrying frame and front support assembly, taken generally along the line 11-11 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view showing the latching mechanism for holding the carrying frame in its carrying position, taken generally along the line 13-13 of FIG. 9; 7

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, top view showing the loading rails in their stowed position on the carrier frame;

FIG. 15 is a top view showing the loading rail assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in its loading position;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional, exploded view taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a top view of one of the loading rail keel roller assemblies viewed generally along the line 17- 17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the loading rail support viewed generally along the line 18-18 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary, side view showing installation of the embodiment of the loading apparatus of FIG. 1 on a dock;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, side view showing the support for the loading rails on the embodiment of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, side view, partly in crosssection, showing installation of the embodiment of the loading apparatus of FIG. 1 on a sea wall;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary, side view further illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary, top, cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 24-24 of FIG. 23; and

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary, top view further showing the embodiments of FIGS. 22-24 and showing a modified loading rail assembly in its loading position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-18 of the drawings, there is shown, generally indicated at 30, an embodiment of the invention mounted on a conventional camper, generally indicated at 32, and incorporating a pivotally mounted, upwardly tiltable carrying frame 34, this embodiment thus being suitable for loading a relatively larger and heavier boat 36, which may have an outboard motor 38 mounted thereon.

Apparatus 30 generally includes carrying frame. 34 pivotally mounted at its rear end to the upper end of supporting frame 40, which has its lower end mounted on the rear bumper 42 of camper 32. A forward supporting assembly 44 is mounted on the roof of the cab 46 of the camper 32. Forward supporting assembly 44 supports carrying frame 34 in its lowered, carrying position, as shown by the dashed lines 340 in FIG. 1, and selectively raises carrying frame 34 to its forwardly and upwardly inclined loading position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1.

Loading rail assembly 48 is provided comprising a pair of loading rails 50, 52. Loading rails 50, 52 have a loading position, as shown in FIG. 1, with their forward ends removably and pivotally connected to the upper end of supporting frame 40, and being inclined rearwardly and downwardly therefrom with their rear ends being supported upon the ground 54. Loading rails 50, 52 also have a stowed position in which they are carried and retained by the carrier frame 34, as will be hereinafter described.

A winching assembly is provided including a conventional hand operated or motor-driven winch 56 mounted on supporting frame 40 and suitable sheaves including sheaves 58, 60 mounted on the forward end of carrier frame 34 for guiding cable 62 from winch 56 to towing eye 64 on the bow of boat 36.

With loading rail assembly 48 in its loading position and carrier frame 34 in its loading position, as shown in FIG. 1, cable 62 may be pulled-out and attached to the towing eye 64 of boat 36 resting upon ground 54 adjacent the rear end of loading rail assembly 48, as shown in dashed lines at 36a. Winch 56 may then be operated to pull boat 36 forwardly up loading rail assembly 48 and onto and up carrier frame 34 to the forward position against stop roller 66 (FIG. 9). Carrier frame 34 may then be lowered to its carrying position 340 and the boat secured thereon by suitable tiedowns. It will be seen that carrier frame 34 extends forwardly from supporting frame 40 over roof 68 of camper body 70, and over the roof 72 of cab 46.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, supporting frame 40 comprises a pair of vertically extending, spaced, parallel leg members 74, 76. Lower ends 78 of leg members 74, 76 have suitable mounting plates 80 secured thereto, as by welding, plates 80 being suitably secured to bumper 42, as by bolts 82. A transverse brace member 84 extends between leg members 74, 76 adjacent their upper ends 86, being secured thereto, as by bolts 88. As best seen in FIG. 3, brace member 84 is disposed above rear door of camper body 70 in order to permit opening thereof.

A connecting member 92 extends between upper ends 86 of leg members 74, 76, being pivotally mounted thereon, as by pivot pin 94, as will hereinafter be more fully described. Connecting member 92 is disposed above the level of roof 68 of camper body 70. Suitable brackets 96 may be securedto side walls 98 of the bed which supports camper body 70 and to leg members 74, 76, as by suitable bolts 100, 102, thereby to provide rigid support for the supporting frame 40.

It will be apparent that supporting frame 40 is bolted together and may thus be disassembled for shipping purposes. It will further be seen that supporting frame 40 is bolted to bumper 42 and side walls 98, and thus that only hand tools are required for connection of supporting frame 40 to camper 32. Brackets 96 may be suitably bent at the time of installation to accomodate different side wall configurations and spacings. Leg members 74, 76 and connecting member 92 are preferably tubular metal members, while brace member 84 may be a suitable metal channel.

Carrier frame 34 comprises an elongated, tubular metal tongue member 104 having its rear end 106 secured to pivoted connecting member 92, as by welding. A pair of tubular side metal members 108', 110 are provided on opposite sides of tongue 104 and having their rear ends 112, 114 likewise secured to pivoted connecting member 92, as by welding. The forward ends of members 108, 110 are connected to tongue 104 by members 116, 118, as best seen in FIG. 2. Suitable keel rollers are mounted on the upper sides of tongue 104 in spaced-apart relationship. While two keel rollers 120 are shown, it will be understood that additional keel rollers may be provided if desired.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 9, a post 122 is secured to the forward end 124 of tongue 104, as by welding, and extends upwardly and forwardly therefrom. Stop roller 66 is mounted by means of a suitable bracket 126 on post 122 adjacent its upper end. Sheave 58 is also mounted on post 122 below stop roller 66. An opening 128 is formed in the top wall of tongue 104 and sheave 60 is mounted within tongue 104 communicating with opening 128. Cable 62 is trained around sheaves 58, 60 and extends rearwardly through the interior of tongue 104, as shown.

' thereon which removably engage thegutters 140 on the sides of roof 72. Members 130, 132 are secured to brackets 136 by suitable bolts 142, appropriate shims 144 being employed, as needed, to position members 130, 132 slightly above the level of roof 68 of camper body 70. In its carrying position, tongue 104 extends generally horizontallyforwardly form pivoted connecting member 92 and rests upon members 130, 132.

In order to raise and lower tongue 104 and carrier 34 between its carrying and loading positions, a pair of angle-members 146 are secured to the bottom side of tongue 104 adjacent its forward end 124, as by welding, their bottom flanges defining a slot 148 therebetween. Suitable rollers 150 are supported on the bottom flanges of angles 146, rollers 150 being rotatably mounted on carriage-152 having an extension member 154 extending downwardly through slot 148.

A pair of bracket members 156 are secured to the forward edge of transverse member 130, as by suitable bolts 158. Bracket members 156 are transversely spaced-apart and have upper end portions 160 which receive tongue 104 therebetween in its carrying position. Brackets 156 have lower portions 162 to which end 164 of hydraulic jack 166 is pivotally connected, as at 168. Piston rod 170 of jack 166 has its outer end pivotally connected to extension portion 154 of carrier 152.

Another pair of bracket members 172 are secured to the rear edge of transverse member 132, as by bolts 174, bracket members 172 extending upwardly from member 132 and being spaced outwardly on opposite sides of tongue 104. A pair of elongated stabilizer rods 176 are provided having their opposite ends pivotally connected to bracket members 172 and to extension 154 of carrier 152. It will be seen that the outer end of piston rod 170 and the outer ends of stabilizing rods 176 have a common pivotal connection with extension portion 154 of carrier 152, as at 178. Hydraulic jack 166 may be manually actuated by actuating lever 180 thereby to extend its piston rod 170, or jack 166 may be actuated by a suitable electric motor driven pump, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

Inspection of FIGS. 1, 9 and will now reveal that upon actuation of jack 156 to extend its piston rod 170, tongue 104 and carrier frame 34 will be pivotally moved upwardly about pivot 94 with rollers 150 moving rearwardly in angles 146, tongue 104 thus being raised from its horizontal, carrying position 34a (FIG. 1), 1040 (FIG. 10), as shown by the dashed line 182 in FIG. 10, to its forwardly and upwardly inclined loading position. Deactuation of jack 166 will permit tongue 104 and carrier frame 34 under the influence of its own weight, with or without a boat 36 loaded thereon, to be slowly lowered to its carrying position.

A pair of conventional bunk roller assemblies 184, 186 are pivotally mounted on members 108, 110 in order to support the bottom of boat 36 and to accommodate themselves to the configuration thereof.

Referring briefly to FIG. 13, a latch assembly 188 is provided in order to hold tongue 104 and carrier frame 34 in its carrying position. Latch assembly 188 comprises a lever 190 pivotally mounted on transverse member and having a latching portion 192 at its upper end adapted to engage the upper side of tongue 104. A suitable spring 194 biases lever member to its latching position. Lever member 190 is selectively moved to its released position, thereby to permit raising of tongue 104, as above described, by a suitable rope 196 secured to the upper end thereof, as shown.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, pivoted member 92 is pivotally and removably connected to leg members 74, 76 by the arrangement now to be described. Pivot pin 94 is secured in block 198 mounted in each end 200 of connecting member 92. Upper ends 86 of leg members 74, 76 have a pair of downwardly extending slots 202, 204 respectively formed in their inner and outer side walls 206, 208. Pivot pin 94 is seated in slots 202, 204 and retained in position by a suitable washer and cotterpin assembly 210. Pivot pin 94 is retained in slots 202, 204 by a transversely extending pin 212 extending through aligned openings in the opposite side walls 214, 216 of posts 74, 76, pin 212 extending over pivot pin 94 and being retained in position by another suitable washer and cotterpin assembly 218. The open upper ends of leg members 74, 76 may be closed by suitable snap-in cover members 220 (FIG. 5). It will now be seen that pivoted connecting member 92, which has carrier frame 34 secured thereto, may readily be removed from supporting frame 40 by merely removing pins 212 and lifting connecting member 92 so as to remove pivot pins 94 from slots 202, 204.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 6 and 7, openings 220, 222 are formed in side walls 224, 226 of pivoted connecting member 92 communicating with the interior'of tongue member 104. Bracket assembly 228 is mounted on rear wall 226 of member 92 comprising side members 230, 232 and top member 234 which has sheave 236 mounted thereon. Cable 62, which extends through the tubular tongue member 104, extends outwardly through openings .220, 222, is trained around sheave 236, and extends through slot 238 in side wall member 232. Another sheave 240 is pivotally suspended from bracket member 242 mounted on side leg member 74 (FIGS. 4, 5). Cable 62 extends from sheave 236 to sheave 240, is trained therearound, and extends to winch 56 also mounted on leg member 74. Another keel roller 244 is rotatably mounted on the ends of members 230, 232 of bracket 228.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 8 and 15-18, loading rail connecting brackets 2416, 248 are mounted on and extend rearwardly from pivoted connecting member 92 on either side of bracket 228, each of the brackets 246, 248 comprising a pair of transversely spaced pivot plate members 250. Each of the loading rails 50, 52 has a pivot bracket 252 connected thereto adjacent its forward end 254, as by bolts 256. Each bracket 252 has a pivot sleeve 258 extending forwardly therefrom. In the loading position of rails 50, 52, pivot sleeves 258 are positioned between plates, 250, being removably and pivotally connected thereto by pivot pins 260 which are retained in assembled relation by means of suitable cotterpins 262 (FIG. 8). Each of the rails 50, 52 has a stowing bracket 264 secured to its outer end 266, as by suitable bolts 268. Rails 50, 52, which may be formed of wood, are preferably covered with suitable fabric 270, such as carpeting.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. I6, 17 and 18, a plurality of keel roller assemblies 272 is provided removably secured to loading rails 50,52 in their loading position, keel roller assemblies 272 being spacedapart along loading rails 50,52 as best seen in FIG. 15. Each of the keel roller assemblies 272 comprises a pair of sockets 274 respectively mounted on the inner sides of rails 50,52. A pair of L-shaped pins are provided respectively secured to opposite sides of angle member 278, pins 276 being adopted to be removably received in sockets 274. A bracket consisting of transversely spaced plates 280 is secured to and extends outwardly from angle member 278, and keel roller 282 is rotatably mounted between plates 280. It will be seen that keel roller assemblies 272 maintain loading rails 50, 52 in their requisite spaced, parallel relationship in their loading position, and that keel roller assemblies 272 may be removed, and rails 50, 52 disconnected from brackets 246, 248 by removing pins 260, in order to permit stowing of rails 50, 52 as will shortly be described. Referring now briefly specifically to FIG. 18, an intermediate support assembly 284 is provided for rails 50, 52. Support assembly 284 comprises a pair of arms 286, 288 respectively having their lower ends connected to foot member 290 adapted to rest upon ground 54. Conventional C-clamps 292, 294 are secured to the upper ends of arms 286, 288, as by welding, and are adapted to receive and clamp loading rails 50, 52, as shown. In certain instances when keel roller assemblies 272 may not be required, a chain 296 extending between arms 286, 288 is employed for maintaining the requisite parallel relationship of rails 50, 52. Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2, 11 and 14, a generally rectangular bracket 298 is secured to side 299 of tongue member 104 adjacent its forward end 144, as by welding. A pair of pins 300 are secured to pivotal connecting member 92 and extend upwardly therefrom adjacent tongue member 104. In the stowed position of loading rails 50, 52, after their removal from connecting brackets 246, rails 50, 52 extend through and are supported by bracket 298, with bracket members 264 being supported on the upper side of pivoted connecting member 92, and with pins 300 extending upwardly through openings 302 in bracket members 264. Suitable cotter keys 304 retain bracket members 264 of pins 300. It is thus seen that in the stowed position of loading rails 50, 52, the rails are carried and retained along the side of tongue member 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20 in which like elements are indicated by like reference numerals and similar elements by primed reference numerals, loading assembly 30 may be mounted on a conventional dock 306, rather than upon the camper 32, or some other type of vehicle. I-lere, carrier frame 34 is pivotally mounted upon supporting frame 40' having relatively short leg members 74', 76' which are secured to dock 306, as by bolts 208, as shown. Supporting assembly 44' for the forward end of tongue member 104 is likewise mounted on dock 306 by suitable brackets 310. Carrier frame 34, which may be identical to carrier frame 34 of the previous embodiment, may be raised and lowered between its carrying or storage position, and its loading position, by a hydraulic jack 166 (not shown) connected to supporting assembly 44 in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

Loading rail assembly 48 comprises loading rails 50', 52 which are preferably somewhat longer than the loading rails 50, 52 of the previous embodiment. Rails 50', 52 in their loading position are inclined rearwardly and downwardly away from supporting frame 40 and dock 306 with their outer ends 266 being below the water level 312, so as to permit the boat to be floated over the outer ends of the loading rails. In this embodiment, loading rails 50', 52' are preferably supported by support members 314, 316 which are supported on the bottom 318. Rails 50', 52' are preferably still removable and pivotally attached to supporting frame 40' by brackets 246, 248, 252, as in the case of the previous embodiment, in order to permit rails 50', 52 to be disposed at the desired angle so that the outer ends 266' will be below the water level 312, and also to permit removal of the rails for stowing on the carrier frame 34, as above described, when the loading apparatus is not in use, as during the winter.

Referring now to FIG. 21, in which like elements are again indicated by like reference numerals and similar elements by primed numerals, the boat loading apparatus 30 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 may be mounted upon a sea wall 320. Here, the shorter supporting frame 40' is mounted on sea wall 320 by appropriate brackets 322, being secured thereto by suitable lag bolts 324. The forward supporting assembly 44 may be mounted by brackets 310 on a suitable footing 326 spaced from sea wall 320, as shown. Otherwise, the apparatus may be the same as that illustrated and described above in connection with the embodiments of FIGS. 19, 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 22-26, in which like elements are again indicated by like reference numerals and similar elements by primed numerals, in the case of apparatus for loading smaller and lighter boats, such as fishing boats, it may not be necessary to provide for upward tilting of carrying frame 34 between its carrying and loading positions, as in the case of previous embodiments. Here, transverse connecting member 92" of supporting frame 40" is rigidly secured to the upper ends 86 of leg members 74, 76, as by welding as shown. Thus, tongue member 104 and carrier frame 34 extend horizontally forwardly from connecting member 92' In this embodiment, forward end 124 of tongue member 104 is rigidly secured to transverse supporting member 130' of supporting assembly 44, as by suitable bolts 328. Here, with lighter boats being involved, the keel roller assemblies 272 may be eliminated and the loading rails 50, 52 maintained in the desired parallel relationship in their loading position by a suitable chain 330 connected between their outer ends 236. With the simplification above-noted, the loading apparatus of FIGS. 22-26 preferably incorporates the other features of the embodiment of FIG. 1 including the provision of keel rollers on tongue member 104 and the buck roller assemblies 184, 186 on members 110, 108.

Referring again briefly to FIG. 9, with boat 36 fully loaded on carrier frame 34 and with its bow 332 engaging stop roller 66, the bow may be held down by a conventional hold-down assembly 334 connected between bow eye 64 and eye 336 secured to the upper side of tongue member 104 adjacent its forward end 124. The stern of the boat when fully loaded on carrier frame 34 may likewise be tied down by conventional tie-down assemblies (not shown) connected to connecting member 92.

It will be readily apparent that the carrier frame assembly 34 including member 92, but with the supporting frame 40 eliminated, may be mounted directly upon the top of a vehicle, such as a station wagon, with the loading rails 50, 52 again removably and pivotally connected to member 92 as above-described. in such a modification, winch 56 will be mounted on an outer end of member 92.

It will now be seen that there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an apparatus which, with only minor modification, can be employed for loading boats either on top of avehicle, such as a camper, or on a fixed support structure, such as a dock or sea wall. It will further be seen that the apparatus loads the boat without being necessary for inverting the same, and further that the apparatus is secured to the support structure at a minimum number of attachment points, being readily attached and removed therefrom by readily available hand tools.

While there have been described above the principles of this invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for loading a boat on a supporting structure comprising: an elongated carrier frame having forward and rear ends; an upstanding supporting frame having upper and lower ends, and means for mounting said lower end on said support structure with said supporting frame having a fixed relationship with said support structure; said rear end of said carrier frame being pivotally connected to said supporting frame adjacent said upper end thereof with said carrier frame extending forwardly therefrom whereby said carrier frame may be pivotally raised from a generally horizontal carrying position to a forwardly and upwardly inclined loading position; means for supporting said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof on said support structure; an elongated, loading element having forward and rear ends, means for removably and pivotally connecting said forward end of said elemerit to said supporting frame adjacent said upper end thereof, said element having a loading position with said forward end thereof connected to said connecting means and being inclined rearwardly and downwardly therefrom with the rear end thereof being supported by the ground; and a winching system for hauling a boat up said loading element in said loading position thereof and onto said carrier frame and comprising a winch mounted on said supporting frame, means mounted on said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof for guiding a cable therearound, an elongated cable trained around said guide means andhaving one end secured to said winch andits other end adapted to be connected to aboat for loading the same on said apparatus, and means on said carrier frame for stOwing said loading element, said element having a stowed position on said stowing means, said stowing means ineluding means mounted on said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof for supporting and retaining said element adjacent one end thereof, and means on said supporting frame for supporting and retaining said element adjacent the other end thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rear end of said carrier frame is pivotally connected to said supporting frame whereby said carrier frame may be pivotally raised from a generally horizontal carrying position to a forwardly and upwardly inclined loading position, said supporting means including a transversely extending member spaced rearwardly from said forward end of said carrier frame in said carrying position thereof, said carrier frame being supported by said transverse member in said carrying position, a longitudinally extending track on said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof, means for engaging said track for longitudinal movement thereon, and a hydraulic cylinder having one end pivotally connected to said transverse member and its piston rod pivotally connected to said engaging means whereby extension of said piston rod pivotally raises the carrier frame to said loading position thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said supporting means further includes a pair of elongated stabilizer rods respectively having forward and rear ends and being respectively disposed on opposite sidesof said cylinder, the forward ends of said rods being pivotally connected to said engaging means, and means for pivotally connecting the rear ends of said rods to said transverse member at points spaced from opposite sides of said carrying frame in said carrying position.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said carrier frame includes an elongated tubular member, said cable extending through said tubular member.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said carrier frame includes an elongated, tongue member having forward and rear ends, a stop member secured to an extending upwardly from the forward end of said tongue member, a pair of members having first portions respectively spaced from and parallel with said tongue member adjacent the rear end thereof, said pair of members respectively having second portions joining said first portions to said tongue member at a point intermediate its ends, said second portions of saidpair of members having rear ends, said rear ends of said tongue member and said pair of members being connected to said upper end of said supporting frame, a plurality of keel rollers mounted on the upper side of said tongue member in longitudinally spaced-apart relationship, and a pair of bunk roller assemblies respectively mountedon the upper sidesof said second portions of said pair of members; said cable guiding means including a first sheave mounted on said stop member and spaced from said tongue member, and a second sheave mounted on said tongue member adjacent said forward end thereof.

6. The apparatus of claimS wherein said supporting frame comprises a pair of spaced, parallel, upstanding leg members and a connecting member extending between said leg members adjacent the upper ends thereof, said rear ends of said tongue memberandpair of members being secured to said connecting member, said connecting means being mounted on said connecting member, said tongue member being tubular, said tongue member having an opening therein adjacent said forward end thereof and communicating with the interior thereof, said second sheave being positioned in said opening and said cable extending through the interior of said tongue member, said connecting member having an opening therein communicating with the interior of said tongue member with said cable extending therethrough, said winch being mounted on one of said leg members, and third and fourth sheaves respectively mounted on said connecting member and said one leg member for guiding said cable from said winch to the interior of said tongue member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a bracket mounted on said connecting member and extending rearwardly therefrom, said third sheave being mounted on said bracket, and another keel roller mounted on said bracket.

8. Apparatus for loading a boat on a support structure comprising: an elongated carrier frame having forward and rear ends; means for mounting said carrier on said support structure; at least one elongated loading rail having forward and rear ends; means for removably and pivotally connecting said forward end of said rail to said rear end of said carrier frame, said rail having a loading position with said forward end thereof connected to said connecting means and being inclined rearwardly and downwardly therefrom and the rear end thereof being supported on the ground; means on said carrier frame for stowing said rail, said rail having a stowed position on said stowing means; and a winching system for hauling a boat up said rail in said loading position thereof and onto said carrier frame and comprising a winch, means for mounting said winch adjacent said rear end of said carrier frame, means mounted on said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof for guiding a cable thereover, and an elongated cable trained around said guide means and having one end secured to said winch and its other end adapted to be connected to a boat for loading the same on said apparatus, said stowing means including means mounted on said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof for supporting and retaining said rail adjacent one end thereof, and means mounted on said carrier frame adjacent said rear end thereof for supporting and retaining said rail adjacent the other end thereof. 

1. Apparatus for loading a boat on a supporting structure comprising: an elongated carrier frame having forward and rear ends; an upstanding supporting frame having upper and lower ends, and means for mounting said lower end on said support structure with said supporting frame having a fixed relationship with said support structure; said rear end of said carrier frame being pivotally connected to said supporting frame adjacent said upper end thereof with said carrier frame extending forwardly therefrom whereby said carrier frame may be pivotally raised from a generally horizontal carrying position to a forwardly and upwardly inclined loading position; means for supporting said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof on said support structure; an elongated, loading element having forward and rear ends, means for removably and pivotally connecting said forward end of said element to said supporting frame adjacent said upper end thereof, said element having a loading position with said forward end thereof connected to said connecting means and being inclined rearwardly and downwardly therefrom with the rear end thereof being supported by the ground; and a winching system for hauling a boat up said loading element in said loading position thereof and onto said carrier frame and comprising a winch mounted on said supporting frame, means mounted on said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof for guiding a cable therearound, an elongated cable trained around said guide means and having one end secured to said winch and its other end adapted to be connected to a boat for loading the same on said apparatus, and means on said carrier frame for stOwing said loading element, said element having a stowed position on said stowing means, said stowing means including means mounted on said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof for supporting and retaining said element adjacent one end thereof, and means on said supporting frame for supporting and retaining said element adjacent the other end thereof.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rear end of said carrier frame is pivotally connected to said supporting frame whereby said carrier frame may be pivotally raised from a generally horiZontal carrying position to a forwardly and upwardly inclined loading position, said supporting means including a transversely extending member spaced rearwardly from said forward end of said carrier frame in said carrying position thereof, said carrier frame being supported by said transverse member in said carrying position, a longitudinally extending track on said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof, means for engaging said track for longitudinal movement thereon, and a hydraulic cylinder having one end pivotally connected to said transverse member and its piston rod pivotally connected to said engaging means whereby extension of said piston rod pivotally raises the carrier frame to said loading position thereof.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said supporting means further includes a pair of elongated stabilizer rods respectively having forward and rear ends and being respectively disposed on opposite sides of said cylinder, the forward ends of said rods being pivotally connected to said engaging means, and means for pivotally connecting the rear ends of said rods to said transverse member at points spaced from opposite sides of said carrying frame in said carrying position.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said carrier frame includes an elongated tubular member, said cable extending through said tubular member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said carrier frame includes an elongated, tongue member having forward and rear ends, a stop member secured to an extending upwardly from the forward end of said tongue member, a pair of members having first portions respectively spaced from and parallel with said tongue member adjacent the rear end thereof, said pair of members respectively having second portions joining said first portions to said tongue member at a point intermediate its ends, said second portions of said pair of members having rear ends, said rear ends of said tongue member and said pair of members being connected to said upper end of said supporting frame, a plurality of keel rollers mounted on the upper side of said tongue member in longitudinally spaced-apart relationship, and a pair of bunk roller assemblies respectively mounted on the upper sides of said second portions of said pair of members; said cable guiding means including a first sheave mounted on said stop member and spaced from said tongue member, and a second sheave mounted on said tongue member adjacent said forward end thereof.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said supporting frame comprises a pair of spaced, parallel, upstanding leg members and a connecting member extending between said leg members adjacent the upper ends thereof, said rear ends of said tongue member and pair of members being secured to said connecting member, said connecting means being mounted on said connecting member, said tongue member being tubular, said tongue member having an opening therein adjacent said forward end thereof and communicating with the interior thereof, said second sheave being positioned in said opening and said cable extending through the interior of said tongue member, said connecting member having an opening therein communicating with the interior of said tongue member with said cable extending therethrough, said winch being mounted on one of said leg members, and third and fourth sheaves respectively mounted on said connecting member and said one leg member for guiding said cable from said winch to the interior of said tongue member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a bracket mounted on said connecting member and extending rearwardly therefrom, said third sheave being mounted on said bracket, and another keel roller mounted on said bracket.
 8. Apparatus for loading a boat on a support structure comprising: an elongated carrier frame having forward and rear ends; means for mounting said carrier on said support structure; at least one elongated loading rail having forward and rear ends; means for removably and pivotally connecting said forward end of said rail to said rear end of said carrier frame, said rail having a loading position with said forward end thereof connected to said connecting means and being inclined rearwardly and downwardly therefrom and the rear end thereof being supported on the ground; means on said carrier frame for stowing said rail, said rail having a stowed position on said stowing means; and a winching system for hauling a boat up said rail in said loading position thereof and onto said carrier frame and comprising a winch, means for mounting said winch adjacent said rear end of said carrier frame, means mounted on said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof for guiding a cable thereover, and an elongated cable trained around said guide means and having one end secured to said winch and its other end adapted to be connected to a boat for loading the same on said apparatus, said stowing means including means mounted on said carrier frame adjacent said forward end thereof for supporting and retaining said rail adjacent one end thereof, and means mounted on said carrier frame adjacent said rear end thereof for supporting and retaining said rail adjacent the other end thereof. 